Supporting our customers, colleagues and communities during the coronavirus pandemic

 

At Cargill, our values have served as our guide through the COVID-19 pandemic. By doing the right thing, putting people first and reaching higher, we’ve been able to navigate and adapt to keep our employees safe and our food system moving. As a 155-year-old, family-owned business, we also draw on our decades of experience managing major global issues as we work tirelessly to support our teams, suppliers, customers and the communities in which we live and work.

The pandemic has tested us all — personally and professionally. And it has proven how strong our food system and our communities can be when we work together. As COVID continues to threaten our world, so Cargill will continue to be here to help. 

 

Keeping Employees Safe

Our employees are on the frontlines of producing and delivering food as we fulfil our purpose of safely, sustainably and responsibly feeding the world. As essential workers, they take care of the nutrition needs of families around the world — so we feel deeply committed to taking care of them.

Sometimes, despite implementing best practices to protect our teams, we still see our friends, colleagues and communities hurt by COVID-19. Keeping people safe is core to our values, so this toll is heartbreaking.

That’s why as standards evolve as the virus progresses, we continuously learn about new ways to protect our colleagues. We are proactively adopting the latest safety protocols available for the environments in which we operate in partnership with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, OSHA and other national and local health officials. In accordance with the CDC’s latest guidance, we require all individuals (including those who are fully vaccinated) to wear masks indoors in communities where there is substantial or high COVID transmission. 

We are committed to simultaneously meeting Cargill’s high food quality standards and rigorous safety standards.

Here in times of need

Our teams have persevered. Because of their efforts — as well as our safety parameters, screening and cleaning protocols, health care benefits and employee resources — we’ve faced minimal disruptions to production.

Cargill launched the Cargill Cares Employee Disaster Relief Fund, for example, to help meet our employees' immediate needs in times of crisis. With $15 million (USD) in initial investment, this fund helps our team members navigate strife while they support and care for their loved ones.

These collective efforts have ensured that Cargill remains a dependable employer and supplier for our customers, even under these incredibly difficult circumstances.

 

Vaccinations

We are encouraging all employees to get the COVID vaccine and have hosted vaccination clinics at a number of our facilities. For our businesses and colleagues in the U.S., the Administration recently (Sept. 9, 2021) announced a mandate that all companies with more than 100 employees require vaccination or regular testing. We will take appropriate action to comply with the Emergency Temporary Standard once available from OSHA. 

 

Supporting our communities

Vulnerable families and people around the world are facing unprecedented levels of food insecurity due to the pandemic — exacerbating the hunger crisis already gripping many parts of the world. Cargill is working with our nonprofit partners to help get food to the hungry, and to support emergency, health and safety needs resulting from the spread of the virus. 

Cargill made an initial commitment of $35 million to COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts through global and regional partnerships, product donations and employee personal giving. Our giving and support will continue as long as the pandemic affects our communities.   

1. Agriculture community support

Farmers are at the heart of our food system as they carry on their essential work of nourishing the world. We’re reinforcing our relationship with farmers, ranchers and agricultural communities during this unprecedented time, investing in programs and partnerships that support their resilience. This includes everything from monetary donations to groups like the American Farmland Trust's Farmer Relief Fund to providing food to farming communities to delivering disenfectant, handwashing facilities, soaps and towels to hundreds of thousands of farmers and cooperatives.

2. Food industry support

​Food industry workers have been significantly impacted by the pandemic. We’re committed to helping them through these challenging times. This includes support of the National Restaurant Association Foundation Employee Relief Fund, through which impacted workers can apply for a one-time, $500 grant to assist with living expenses such as food, transportation and medical bills. 

As we all manage this global pandemic together, Cargill is committed to keeping our employees safe, feeding the world, and ensuring farmers and ranchers have access to markets. Doing all three simultaneously requires tremendous care — but we have a long history of nourishing the world through its ups and downs and will continue to carry out that essential work faithfully. It’s our purpose and our privilege.